Cycling Routes in Antibes — 4 of Our Favourites

If you are in the centre of the town, you should take the Croisette to its southern tip and follow the road northeast along the coast until you come to a roundabout. You could travel from Cannes centre along Boulevard Alexandre III directly to the roundabout, but assuming that you cycling to enjoy the scenery and soak up the sunshine and fresh sea air then we would certainly recommend enjoy the Cap. 

From the roundabout continue northeast along the bike lane of the main road. After around 2km, take the exit ramp over the railway line and into the town of Golfe Juan. this allows you to continue your ride along the sea. After Golfe Juan you will enter Juan-les-Pins, and once again you can the esplanade along the sea. 

As you pass the beach clubs and ports of Juan les Pins you will turn south and tour the Cap d'Antibes. Home of the rich and famous and to the grand Hotel du Cap Eden Roc. Following the Boulevard Edouard Baudoin, which turns into the Boulevad Marechal Juin, then the Boulevard John F Kennedy, offers you the chance to reach the head land but not in fact, to arrive at the tip. You can take the turning just after the Hotel du Cap Eden Roc on Chemin de la Mosquee which will take you on a short detour to the Cap d'Antibes.

Once back on the main road you continue on Boulevard de la Garoupe, around Pointe Bacon and on to Boulevard James Wyllie which brings you to the entrance of the town of Antibes. The road leads you up onto the rampart of Old Antibes where you can enjoy excellent views, and a bit of art with the Museum Picasso on your left. Descend from the ramparts near the gate leading north out of the old town.

Leaving Antibes, follow the road west and then north around Port Vauban and past the Fort Carre. Again you will find that there are bike lanes along the main coastal road. You will pass by Cagnes sur Mer and at St Laurent du Var you cross a large bridge that leads you past the airport of Nice where a bike path starts. Follow this wide, very enjoyable bike lane all the way into Nice. 

Cycling the length of the Promenade des Anglais is recommended to get a feel for this cosmopolitan seaside city. You can follow the cycle path all the way along past the domed Negresco Hotel, past the old town and beneath the hill of the Chateau, and along side the Port, where the bike path ends.

If you feel fit enough then reverse the journey and cycle back to Cannes or alternatively, jump on the train and enjoy the leisurely journey back, knowing that you have burnt enough calories to treat yourself to a nice meal out.

The usual associations with cycling are less than chic - brightly coloured lycra, padded shorts and helmets don’t help the image for a start. But you don’t need all the kit for this bike ride (although a helmet is never a bad idea). Granted, it is long, but it is as flat as the proverbial crepe and follows a designated cycle path for the vast majority of the route. You could manage it on pretty much any bike, which you can hire from a number of shops in Antibes, and the wearing of lycra is entirely up to you.

Starting out from the Promenade des Anglais we headed along the green cycle path in the direction of the airport, the path is entirely separate from the road so you don’t have to battle with the traffic. In no time at all you’ll be passing through the pretty villages of Cagnes-Sur-Mer and Villeneuve-Loubet in the Baie des Anges.

The cycle path continues all the way up to the port of Villeneuve-Loubet, where it mysteriously disappears. We continued through the port where the only options were cycling on the pedestrian path or going the wrong way along a one-way road - we opted for the cycle path and got told off. Afterwards we could see from the map that we could have avoided the whole debacle by turning right just before the port onto Avenue de la Batterie.

Anyhow, lesson learned, once we came out of the port we picked up the cycle path again and continued along the Route du Bord de Mer until the Fort Carré came into view, signalling that we were nearly at Antibes. Coming into Antibes can be a bit confusing as the cycle path disappears in a few places and there are a couple of junctions to navigate but keep left and head in the direction of Port Vauban and you’ll be fine. Once you get into the old town there is a sharp left up a little incline where it might be easier to get off and push because a car is bound to come to a halt right in front of you and then you lose your momentum to get up the slope. Then it’s just a case of following the promenade past the Picasso museum and along the seafront. Once the promenade comes to an end you’ll find yourself on Avenue Marechal Leclerc, which will lead you around the Cap d’Antibes past some of the grandest houses on the Riviera. To refer to them as villas almost seems a bit flippant, some are more like mansions.

Immediately after leaving Antibes you come to the very chic town of Juan Les Pins, which is where we stopped for lunch. We chose Londinium on Boulevard Edouard Baudoin for no other reason than it was shady, had a nice sea view and the terrace had plenty of space for our bikes. The owner welcomed us effusively and promised that no “voleurs” would get their mitts on our bikes while he was on duty. We settled in with a glass of ice cold rosé and enjoyed a very nice lunch of goats cheese salad followed by a Café Gourmand (espresso coffee with a selection of mini-desserts). This was definitely turning into my kind of bike ride.

After a very leisurely lunch we climbed back in the saddle and pushed onwards; another long straight stretch took us along the coast line until we hit Cannes and joined La Croisette, the famous promenade that has been strolled upon by all the big stars of the silver screen. We passed by the Palais des Festivals and stopped for a quick photo on the red carpet, as you do, before continuing on to Theoule-Sur-Mer.

The stretch of road in between Cannes and Theoule was the only part of the ride when I felt a bit at the mercy of the traffic. The cycle path didn’t exist along here and the road was quite narrow with no room for overtaking, which meant that everyone was driving very close and very impatiently. I can imagine it might be a bit hairy during the busiest periods of summer.

Theoule is a picturesque little beach resort with plenty of places to stop for something to eat or drink and lots of small beaches tucked in along the bay. There are a few nice hiking routes around here as well, if you want to stretch your legs.

We weren’t done yet though, our target was just a few more kilometres along the coastline and a few more metres above sea level. The climb from Theoule to Le Trayas isn’t steep by any means, but after 50-odd kilometres of flat it felt like a bit of a rude awakening. The views all along this bike ride are pretty special but this stretch really puts the cherry on the cake; the road climbs and twists around the mountainside, constantly giving different perspectives on the rugged landscape below. Red jagged cliffs and craggy coves make the scenery feel more like Spain than France, and the deep blue of the water stands out strikingly against the terracotta-coloured rocks.

There are any number of little beaches along the Route des Calanques and the Route des Escalles, you just have to look out for the little lay-bys beside the road. There is usually a wooden fence running alongside and wherever you see a gap in it there will be a little footpath or stairway leading down to the rocks, from which you can scramble down to the sea. We stopped just a few metres after a hotel called the Relais des Calanques, hoisted the bikes on to our shoulders and clambered down into a perfectly secluded little cove. The beaches in Le Trayas are not soft and sandy, but if you want warm rocks and crystal clear water then this is the place for you (swimming shoes with rubber soles are a good idea for protecting your feet from the rocks). The coastline is so irregular that the sea forms into lots of little lagoons, each one feeling like your own private beach.

“Our” beach was just a few minutes ride from the train station, so after an hour or so of bobbing about in the salty water and snoozing on the rocks we were able to head back to Nice on the train coming from Marseilles. Look out for the special “velo” carriages where you can suspend your bike from hooks on the ceiling. The journey back to Nice central took just under an hour and cost 8,60€.

All in all, our bike ride was a smidge over 60km and took us a very leisurely 5 hours, including about an hour for lunch. If you wanted to make it shorter then you could stop at any of the places named above along the way, they are all on the same train line and are all well worth an afternoon’s visit. Now then, I wonder if Chanel make cycling helmets…?

From here you pass through the busy part of Cagnes-Sur-Mer centre following signs for Vence and the M336, there’s always a lot of traffic around the railway bridge but after that the road opens out and there’s a designated cycle path.

Once you’ve cleared the town centre the road starts climbing, Vence sits at an elevation of 325m and you’re starting from sea level so it’s not a huge ascent. The climb up is quite short and once Vence comes into view on your left you’ll see that you’re already almost level with it. If you want to explore the old town then follow the brown signposts for Cité Historique, where you’ll discover plenty of medieval buildings, ancient streets and pretty squares. Vence is also quite a modern town with a lively centre, so if you need to stock up on any supplies for the ride then you’ll find plenty of shops here. There are also a lot of nice cafés and restaurants, so it makes a good lunch stop on the way back.

Once you’ve noodled round Vence for a bit, leave the village via the north exit of Place Marechal Juin (Avenue Tuby) and take the Avenue Henri Girauld, signposted for the Col de Vence.

From here it’s onwards and upwards! The first sign you see for the Col is an information panel telling you how many kilometres away it is and how many metres to the summit - these panels are at every kilometre and are a handy way of tracking your progress. They also become instruments of torture when you get higher up and they seem to be spaced further and further apart, sometimes it’s best to take the ignorance is bliss approach and not look out for them. They’re also a handy reminder to stay hydrated - I make sure I take a big glug of water as I pass each one, just to make sure I’m drinking enough. Sip plenty in between as well if you feel the need, halfway up a remote col is not the place to start feeling faint.

The road up to the col is very exposed with no shade at all for about the last 9km; wear sunscreen and make sure you’ve got some decent sunglasses.

The gradient is about 6.5-7% for most of the climb; not mega-steep but enough to get everything pumping. The killer is that it is constant, there are no flat bits at all just slow gradual climbing with no relief for a good 8-9km. The landscape is amazing though, so keep your head up and let the incredible scenery distract you as mountain after mountain stretches out into the distance.

Once you reach the col you can take the obligatory “bike by summit sign” photo and stop for a breather as you take in the wonderful view. Bizarrely there is a quite unexpected refreshment stop up here - the Ranch El Bronco. The ranch is a small horse trekking centre that has a little drinks bar and a shady terrace, where cyclists are welcome to take a break.

Another thing that might take you by surprise is the occasional free range cow; they don’t seem to be penned in up here so they are sometimes hanging out beside the road and wandering back and forth across it. They are massive with great big horns, which means that they get right of way.

Even more intriguing is the fact that the Col de Vence is apparently a notorious spot for UFO sightings - check out this website if you want to know more about alleged alien activity in the area. The truth is out there.

What with remote ranches, UFO sightings and marauding cattle, the Col de Vence is more like an unlikely outpost of the wild west than a scenic route near the French Riviera.

The descent is glorious and the long haul to get to the top is soon forgotten as you fly down the sinuous bends. The road surface is in excellent condition, not a crack or pot hole the entire way. It is also so quiet up here that you almost have it to yourself, you don’t need to worry about hoards of traffic at all. You’ll be back in Vence in no time, wishing that some sort of weird phenomenon could make the descent twice as long as the ascent - it’s over far too quickly!

If your mission is all about bagging the col then consider it accomplished and return home via the way we came, which is the most direct route. If however, you want to see a bit more of the area and visit a couple more villages then head back through Vence and follow signs for Saint-Paul at the main junction and take the D2 all the way there.

A short caper along a pleasant tree-lined road and you’ll find yourself at  the entrance to Saint Paul de Vence. If you turn left at the pharmacy you’ll come to the entrance to the village where there’s a beautiful big square lined with olive trees where all the locals gather to play boules - they’re used to being gawped at by fascinated tourists and you may even be invited to join in a game. If you’d rather just spectate then there’s a nice bar with a long terrace that runs along the length of the square. The village itself is well worth a visit, you can walk around the ramparts and admire the panoramic views or enter into the maze of tiny streets that makes up the village centre. The village is known for it’s many galleries and art shops, so if you’ve got gifts to buy then this is the ideal place.

From Saint Paul de Vence it is easy to find your way along the D7 to La Colle Sur Loup, a quaint little village that is known for its antiques shops. It’s far less touristy than Saint Paul, so it’s a good option if you just want a quiet coffee and a leisurely stroll.

From La Colle Sur Loup you continue along the D436 back to Cagnes-Sur-Mer, which will bring you back to the town centre. Be sure to follow signs for CAGNES and not CANNES, or you will end up way off track.

The return through Cagnes-Sur-Mer is slightly different due to ring-roads and one-way systems but just follow signs for Nice, Saint Laurent du Var and Cagnes-Sur-Mer and you’ll be going the right way - do not head in the direction of Antibes or you’ll be going the opposite way.

Once you hit the seafront at Cagnes-Sur-Mer it’s plain sailing along the cycle path all the way back to Nice.

• DISTANCE: 66KM
• TOTAL ELEVATION: 1116M
• MAP: https://maps.google.com/maps?q=http:%2F%2Fwww.mapmyfitness.com%2Froutes%2Fkml%2F512606592%2F

Our starting point was Antibes town centre and from here we headed toward the ocean, turned right toward Boulevard de la Garoupe and followed the coast road around the Cap d’Antibes. This route loops round the edge of the cap, keeping the glamorous estates to your right and their yacht equivalents lazily floating in the Mediterranean sea to your left. However you should pay attention to the road whilst taking in the views on this stretch of road as it is narrow with a lot of traffic.

As you approach the foot of the cap the road cuts inland across it and directs you back up towards the chic town of Juan-les-Pins. The road then rejoins the coast and takes you through the town’s high street. Along here we enjoyed the awe-inspiring yachts moored in the marina of Port camille Rayon in Golfe Juan. The town is more understated and simple, with a wide open road lined with Palm trees, whilst the flat landscape lets you admire the boats moored along the harbour.

Past Golfe Juan you pick up the signs to Cannes. Our trip had coincided with the Cannes Film Festival, so the roads were very busy along here. Nonetheless, it was not an unpleasant journey as there is a dedicated cycle lane which runs alongside the road.

On arrival into Cannes we came to a dead end, as the main coastal road was shut for the film festival and dominated by pedestrians. However, on a normal day this stretch of road would be beautiful to cycle along. The seafront shops consist of some of the biggest names of fashion, palm trees tower over the boulevard and the wide open beaches give a different feel to the rustic Cap d’Antibes.

The roads were calmer after exiting the town of Cannes, making the onward road very pleasant. We had been warned that the road would start to get more hilly from here, but for the section between Cannes and Theoule-sur-Mer, which was our next stop, they remained flat.

Continuing to follow signs to Frejus our stomachs finally got the better of us and we stopped for lunch in Theoule-sur-Mer. We found a great restaurant, Palazzo Pizzeria, overlooking the beach where we had a delicious, crispy-based Italian pizza and a salad with some of the best buffalo mozzarella.

After soaking up the rays, and food, we continued onward. Out of Theoule the road climbs gently up and you can see you are heading up the cliffs. The climbing is not long or strenuous and worth every peddle, from here onward the views are stunning. If you are making a full day of it pack your swimwear and park-up at one of the dozens of coves which could be your own private beach!

The undulating road finally drops gently into Le Dramont, a small beachside town, and we carried on through to end up at our final destination of Saint Raphael. We chose this as our stopping point as it is the last coastal town before you head slightly inland to Frejus. Naturally we ended up at a beach where we had a quick dip in the sea to cool off before jumping on the train back to Antibes.

This cycle route was my favourite of the holiday, mainly because of the views after Theoule-sur-Mer. They were stunning, the water in the coves was a beautiful colour of turquoise and the quiet roads meant you had all the time in the world to take in the scenery.

If you are looking to make this a little more challenging you can always extend the ride up to Frejus, which is the end point of the train line returning back towards Nice. Alternatively, you can turnaround and come back. Our route was approximately 45km and to extend the ride to Frejus would be adding another 10km.